Multiple-ASSR Interactions in Adults with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Neuroscience
• Hearing Science

Background:

• The multiple auditory steady-state response (ASSR) technique is gaining interest for infant hearing assessments.
• Accuracy of multiple-ASSR thresholds is suggested, but efficiency compared to single stimuli is unknown, especially for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of single versus multiple simultaneous stimuli on 80-Hz and 40-Hz ASSRs.
• To compare these effects in adults with normal hearing and SNHL.

Main Methods:

• Adults with normal hearing or SNHL underwent ASSR testing using single and multiple simultaneous stimuli.
• Amplitude changes of 80-Hz and 40-Hz ASSRs were analyzed when transitioning from single to multiple stimuli within one ear, and then to multiple stimuli in both ears.

Main Results:

• Both 80-Hz and 40-Hz ASSRs showed significant amplitude decreases when moving from single to multiple stimuli in one ear.
• The 80-Hz ASSR amplitude did not decrease further when adding a second ear with multiple stimuli.
• The 40-Hz ASSR amplitude decreased further when moving from one-ear multiple to two-ear multiple stimuli.
• These amplitude interactions were consistent between normal-hearing and SNHL groups.

Conclusions:

• The multiple-ASSR technique is supported, but single stimuli may be more efficient in certain clinical situations.
• Further research is needed to evaluate these interactions in infants with diverse hearing loss profiles.